ORS 433.290 Oregon Health Authority to conduct educational program concerning metabolic diseases

The Legislative Assembly finds that many newborn children are given their first tests for metabolic diseases too early for the detection of these diseases because parents remove these newborn infants from the hospital before the optimum testing period commences. To assure proper first testing and follow-up testing and increase knowledge about the nature and results of these diseases, the Oregon Health Authority shall institute and carry on an intensive educational program among physicians, naturopathic physicians, hospitals, public health nurses, the parents of newborn children and the public concerning the disease of phenylketonuria and other metabolic diseases. This educational program shall include information concerning:

The nature of these diseases; and

Examinations for the detection of these diseases in infancy in order that measures may be taken to prevent the mental retardation resulting from these diseases.

The authority shall make a special effort specifically to inform expectant parents and parents of newborn children of the necessity of newborn infants receiving appropriate tests within the optimum time range after birth to prevent the mental retardation or other serious complications resulting from these diseases.